<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;"><img src="http://images.wisbar.org/Images/DigestEmails/Dickens_200w.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="186" align="right"/>There’s a famous scene in Charles Dickens’ novel <em>Oliver Twist</em> when the orphan Oliver asks the master of a workhouse for more gruel. The response he received was, well, let’s call it <a href="https://charlesdickenspage.com/twist_more.html">less than favorable</a>. </p><p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;">Requesting an increase in budget can make you feel like you’re Oliver Twist making your way through the stone hall, bowl in hand, to the keeper of the copper. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be that way. With a well-thought-out request, you can be more confident in your approach and less likely to catch a ladle to the head. So, before you make any appeals for more funding, be prepared to do the following:</p> <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;"><strong>Evaluate your current spending.</strong> Make sure you’re not overspending in any areas. Showing you can manage your existing budget responsibly gives you credibility when you need to ask for more. </p><p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;"><strong>Document all of your activities and those of your staff. </strong>Determine how that new software or additional personnel will fit in with those activities. Will you save time/money in the end? Are the costs justified? Figuring everything out for yourself will help when you make the ask. </p> <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;"><strong>Recall your achievements.</strong> Then, demonstrate how additional funds can add to them. When it comes to caution about spending more money, it’s all about the risk. You’re more likely to receive an increase when you’ve proven that you and your department have a history of high returns. </p><p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;"><strong>Thoroughly explain why you need the money. </strong>Someone on the outside looking in may not understand why you need to hire additional help or why adding a new service will benefit the organization. Why would anyone want to invest in something they don’t understand? Make sure the decision-makers are clear on the benefits of increased spending. </p> <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;"><strong>Track the impact.</strong> If you get the money, great! But the work isn’t over. Show how the additional funds translate to making more money, whether it’s saving time, bringing in new clients, etc. </p><p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;">The next time you think you need to ask for more, young Oliver, remember: making the case for a bigger budget doesn’t have to be “gruel”-ing. (Sorry. Couldn’t resist that one.) For more guidance, check out the ideas in these articles:</p><ul style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;"> <li><a href="https://blog.kainexus.com/continuous-improvement/roi-of-continuous-improvement/7-tips-for-asking-your-boss-for-a-bigger-continuous-improvement-budget">Seven Tips for Asking Your Boss for a Bigger Continuous Improvement Budget</a></li><li><a href="https://www.projectmanagement.com/blog-post/11724/9-steps-for-asking-for-a-budget-increase?blogName=The-Money-Files&amp;posting=11724">Nine Steps for Asking for a Budget Increase</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.payscale.com/compensation-today/2013/11/5-tips-for-justifying-budget-increases">Five Tips for Justifying Budget Increases</a></li></ul>

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<h3 style="color: #045394; margin-bottom: 7px;">Support the 2018 Annual Meeting & Conference as a Sponsor</h3><p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;"><span style="color: #045394; margin-bottom: 7px;"><img src="http://images.wisbar.org/Images/DigestEmails/2018_AMC_logo_250w.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="72" align="right"/></span>AMC 2018 is shaping up to be our best conference yet, bringing together top-notch CLE, renowned speakers, and fun social activities in beautiful Lake Geneva, June 21-22. But we can’t create great conferences like AMC without your help.</p><p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;">The generosity of sponsors make it possible for us to bring in national speakers, offer high-caliber educational programming, and host social events – all while keeping registration affordable. Why not consider sponsoring AMC 2018?</p><p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;">As a sponsor, you’ll be spotlighted in front of the entire State Bar membership before, during, and after the conference. Sponsors enjoy benefits such as:</p><ul style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;"><li>Name or logo on the conference website</li> <li>Recognition in pre-event marketing, including brochures, emails, social media promotions, and the mobile app</li><li>Name or logo in the onsite program and the conference “Wall of Fame”</li><li>Complimentary 4-color ad in the onsite program (applies to most sponsorship levels)</li><li>Onsite signage and podium recognition (if applicable)</li><li>Inclusion in post-event <em>Wisconsin Lawyer</em><sup style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 0; ">TM</sup> appreciation ad </li><li>And more!</li></ul><p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;">Show your firm’s support of AMC and the legal profession by becoming a sponsor. To learn more, contact Karen Richter at <a href="mailto:krichter@wisbar.org">krichter@wisbar.org</a> or (800) 444-9404, ext. 6132.</p>

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<h3 style="color: #045394; margin-bottom: 7px;"><img src="http://images.wisbar.org/Images/DigestEmails/ABA_Retire_150w.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="81" align="right"/>Resolve to Retire Well</h3><p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;">It’s never too late – or too early – to plan for your future. As a State Bar of Wisconsin member, you have access to outstanding retirement savings plans, whether you need a plan for your entire firm or want an individual option.</p>

<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;">It's especially great for solo and small firms. By leveraging the collective purchasing power of its membership, the ABA Retirement Funds Program offers services typically only available to the largest plans.So even if you’re a small firm or solo practitioner, you’ll receive all the benefits of a larger plan. In fact, over 60% of the program’s clients are solo or small firms.</p> <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;">State Bar members and their employees can also contribute to IRAs through <a href="https://www.wisbar.org/formembers/membershipandbenefits/Pages/Financial.aspx#ABA">a special arrangement with OppenheimerFunds</a>. Our arrangement allows you to invest in OppenheimerFunds shares without the usual front-end sales charge. </p><p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;">Want to live comfortably in retirement? Then take time in 2018 to explore your options and start saving.</p> <hr />

<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;">"Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man." </p><blockquote> <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;"> <strong>Benjamin Franklin</strong> </p></blockquote>

<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;">Get to know fellow attorneys in your practice area and help create positive change in the legal profession by joining any of the 24 area-specific State Bar sections.</p> <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;">Join now and your membership is good until July 1, 2018, so there’s still plenty of time to reap the rewards of a section membership.</p><p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;">Although each section offers its own unique benefits, in general, sections: </p><ul style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;"><li>Publish newsletters/blogs covering current trends and topics</li><li>Sponsor CLE programs that section members can attend for a reduced fee</li><li>Influence state and federal policy</li><li>Coordinate networking events </li><li>Produce valuable projects for section members and the public</li></ul><p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;">Section dues range from only $20-$44 per year. Joining is easy! Call us at (800) 728-7788 or sign up online. Learn more by visiting <a href="http://www.wisbar.org/groups">www.wisbar.org/groups</a>.</p>

<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;">You’re welcome to bring a guest. Registration is needed to ensure availability of complimentary refreshments. RSVP by calling (800) 728-7788 or emailing <a href="mailto:RSVP@wisbar.org">RSVP@wisbar.org</a> with your name, the name of your guest, and your State Bar ID number, no later than noon on January 3, 2018. Please mention event code SA7153.</p>

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<h3 style="color: #045394; margin-bottom: 7px;"><img src="http://images.wisbar.org/Images/DigestEmails/FastCase_175w_greyBG.jpg" alt="" width="175" align="right"/>Free Legal Research Training from Fastcase<sup style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 0; ">®</sup></h3><p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;">Lawyers spend 20 percent of their work time (on average) conducting legal research.<sup style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 0; ">1</sup> If you worked 40 hours a week, that means you’d spend 8 hours every week (or about 1.5 hours every day) on research. That’s a lot of time!</p><p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;">Find out how you can speed up and simplify your legal research with Fastcase 7, the latest version of the popular research tool that’s FREE for State Bar members. </p><p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;">This January, Fastcase is offering free webinars packed with tips for becoming a quicker, more effective researcher. Training topics include:</p><ul style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;"><li>Introduction to Legal Research on Fastcase</li><li>Advanced Tips for Enhanced Research on Fastcase</li><li>Introduction to Boolean (Keyword Searches)</li><li>Ethics and Legal Research on Fastcase 7</li></ul></p><p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 7px;">Sign up now at <a href="https://www.fastcase.com/webinars/">www.fastcase.com/webinars/</a>. Learn more about Fastcase’s helpful new features in this article:<br /> <a href="https://www.wisbar.org/newspublications/insidetrack/pages/article.aspx?volume=9&amp;issue=22&amp;articleid=26003">Fastcase Just Got Better</a></p>

<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 6px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:8pt;"> *This offer is not available with any other discounts and expires at midnight January 1, 2018. Discount applies to first time purchases/subscriptions only. It cannot be applied to previous purchases, auto-supplementation orders, or Books UnBound subscription renewals. The 30% discount may be applied to Books UnBound individual titles or full library subscriptions. Call for firm pricing at (800) 728-7788.</span></p>